Holidays at Universal Orlando 2026: What to Know Before You Go

There is something about the holidays that makes a family trip feel extra special. The lights, the music, the treats, and the feeling that everyone is a little more relaxed and a lot more joyful.

This year, Universal Orlando Resort is going all out. Holidays at Universal Orlando runs November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with new festivities across the resort and all the holiday favorites. As a travel advisor, I love this time of year at Universal because there is so much to see, taste, and experience, and a little planning helps you fit in the things your family will love most.

Here is everything you need to know.

What Is Included With Your Ticket

The best news is that the holiday celebrations are included with your theme park ticket or annual or seasonal pass. Blockout dates may apply for passholders, so it is worth checking before you plan.

What’s New and What’s Back

This year’s celebration includes Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter across three theme parks, Grinchmas, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, Snoggletog at How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, and festive décor at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. Here is what you will find at each location.

Universal Studios Florida. This is where you will find Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, along with Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There is also a special Holidays Tribute Store to explore.

Universal Islands of Adventure. This park is home to the iconic Grinchmas, plus Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you have little ones who love the Grinch, this is the park to plan around.

Universal Epic Universe. Epic Universe joins the holiday fun with Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Snoggletog at How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, and festive décor at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

Universal CityWalk. Stop by the Green & Red Coconut Club for cozy, seasonally themed fun, plus limited-time food, merchandise, and more.

Food, Shopping, and Memories

The holiday magic goes beyond the rides and shows.

Seasonal sweets and treats. Exclusive food and drink offerings appear throughout the theme parks and Universal CityWalk, from seasonal snacks to holiday cocktails (21 and over with a valid photo ID). Come hungry.

Seasonal merchandise. From Christmas ornaments to hats and scarves, there is plenty of shopping around the resort. The special Holidays Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida is a fun one to explore.

Photo moments. Keep an eye out for seasonal décor and characters in holiday outfits. You might even get a selfie with one.

A Holiday Experience Worth Considering: Universal’s Holiday Tour

If you would love a more guided experience, Universal’s Holiday Tour is a 2.5 hour guided tour into the holiday celebration. It includes a meet and greet with the Grinch and his faithful dog Max, a meet and greet with Santa, reserved seating for The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, and an optional reserved viewing area for Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s.

Space is limited, so if this sounds like your family’s kind of day, it is a good idea to reserve early. I can share current details and availability.

New Year’s Eve at Universal Orlando

If you would love to start the new year with a celebration, Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks and Universal CityWalk host a New Year’s Eve celebration that is truly something special. If your family loves a big countdown, it is worth considering.

Make It a Festive Hotel Stay

Staying on property makes it easy to hop between the parks and your hotel for a midday break, and hotel guests enjoy exclusive theme park benefits, including Early Park Admission to select attractions in one of the theme parks up to an hour before opening (valid theme park admission required).

A Look at Current Vacation Package Savings

Universal is currently offering package savings that can make a longer stay more appealing:

Hotel savings. Save up to 30 percent off the flexible rate at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel on a stay of five nights or longer. This is valid for travel September 8 through December 25, 2026, and January 3 through March 15, 2027. Note that this does not cover the days between December 26 and January 2, so it is worth planning around that window if you are traveling the week of New Year’s.

Ticket savings. For arrivals through March 31, 2027, a package includes a 3-Day Park-to-Park ticket plus two bonus promotional days, giving you five days to move freely between Universal Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal Islands of Adventure. (Valid for select dates. Restrictions apply.)

Bundle and save. Packages that bundle a hotel stay and theme park tickets can save you up to $300.

Offers change, and availability on additional days is subject to change, so I always check which options are best for your dates and length of stay.

Planning Tips From a Travel Advisor

Download the official app. The Universal Orlando Resort app gives you wait times, showtimes, and an interactive map. You can also place mobile food and drink orders at select restaurants and pay contactlessly at quick service restaurants and merchandise locations.

Plan around what matters most. Decide whether the Grinch, the Wizarding World, the Holiday Parade, or Epic Universe is the star of your trip, and build your days around it.

Book early for the holidays. The weeks around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are popular, so booking ahead gives you more choice of hotels, dates, and special experiences.

Give yourself enough days. With three theme parks and CityWalk all celebrating, five days gives you time to enjoy the festivities without rushing.

Let’s Plan Your Holiday Trip

A holiday trip to Universal Orlando is the kind of trip that becomes a family tradition. If you would like help choosing your dates, finding the right hotel, and building days around the things your family loves most, I would love to help.

Request your complimentary quote here or email siera@destinationsinflorida.com, and let’s start planning your holiday getaway.